Feeding device



A. E. WEBER.

FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLICM'ION mm MAY 5. 1919.

1,314,624., PntuntmlSept. 2,1919.

r I 771 E3? R RE We e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPH E. WEBER, 0f DEFIANCE, MISSOURI.

FEEDING DEVICE.

Application filed May 5, 1919.

To all whom it may com-c1 11.,-

Be it known that I, AnoLPn E. WEBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Defiance, in the county of St. Charles and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and I useful Improvements in Feeding Devices, of

which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying'drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in feeding devices and has relation more particularly to a device of thls general character especially designed and adapted for use in the feeding of hogs or the like, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby the supply is under animal control.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination andarrangement of the several parts of my improved feeding device whereby certain 1mportant advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a feeding device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the device as disclosed in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in longitudinal section and partly in elevation of an end portion of my improved device as herein embodied.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, H denotes a hopper positioned above the feed floor F and supported by said floor F by the end walls or members W. The lower longitudinal margins of the side walls of the hopper have hingedly engaged therewith the downwardly converging bottom panels P extending the entire length of the hopper H and having their lower marginal portions separated one from the other. The space between the lower marginal portions ot'the panels 1 may be readily regulated Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 191 9.

Serial No. 294,641.

by relative swinging movement of the panels l, and such panels may be held in their different relative positions by any suitable means generally indicated at 1.

Extending upwardly through the space between the lower marginal portions of the bottom panels 1 is the elongated flat valve member V of a length substantially equal to the length of the hopper H and with its side faces vertically disposed. The valve member V is of a thickness less than the width of the space between the lower marginal portions of the panels P so that said valve member may have movement laterally of said space and upwardly within the hopper. The upper edge of the valve member V has disposed longitudinally thereof and entirely therealong a valve cap 2 eXtend-- ing beyond the opposite side face of the member V which contacts with the inner faces of the panels 1 adjacent their lower marginal portions, so that normally the feed within the hopper II is cut off. It is also to be particularly stated that the cap 2 is maintained in its closed position by the weight of the feed within the hopper.

The member V is of a width to have its lower edge approach within about three inches of the floor F when in closed position so that the snout of a hog or other animal may be readily inserted thercbeneath to elevate or raise the member V or impart lateral movement thereto which results in the flow of feed from within the hopper H.

The upward movement of the member V is limited by the contact of each end portion of the cap 2 with a transversely disposed member 3 secured to an end wall or member W. The lateral movement of the valve member V is limited by the upstanding pins at arranged adjacent each end of the valve member V and carried by a block 5 suitably allixed to the floor F.

Coacting with the top of the hopper H is a removable cover C so that the feed may be readily deposited therein.

In practice, it has been found that the floor I is generally maintained clean by the hogs or other animals as the animals actuate the valve member V for feed only as desired so that no feed is left for poultry or for waste and ruin by the animals or the elements.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a feeding device constructed in accordance with my invention 'is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification WlthOllt departlng from the principles and spiritthereof and for this reason I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

A feeder of the class described'comprising a hopper having an elongated discharge opening in its bottom, an elongated member extending upwardly through the discharge opening and of a thickness less than the Width of said opening,' a cap carried by the upper edge of the elongated member and extending therealong, said captextending beyond opposite sides of said elongated memher and contacting with the bottom of the hopper at opposite sides of the discharge opening, and upstanding pins positloned below the hopper and arranged at opposite sides of said elongated member to limit the lateral movement of said elongated member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

- ADOLPH E. WEBER.

Witnesses:

WM. BAss,

W. F. Aorinnroml. 

